Biltmore Hotel (Miami): The beautiful, rolling, 18-hole golf course designed by Donald Ross at the majestic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is open to the public, and is a favorite of Bill Clinton's.
Doral Golf Resort and Spa (Miami): Four championship courses make the Doral one of Miami's best golf destinations. The legendary Blue Monster course hosts the annual PGA Ford Championship tourney.
Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club (Aventura, North Miami Beach): These two 18-hole courses redesigned in 2008 by Raymond Floyd, are open only to guests, but they are among the city's best.
PGA National Resort & Spa (Palm Beach): This rambling resort, the national headquarters of the PGA, is a premier golf destination with five 18-hole courses on more than 2,300 acres.
Tiburón Golf Club (Naples): Greg Norman designed this course's 36 championship holes to play like a British Open -- but without the thick thatch rough. The course is now home to the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples.
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club (Naples): One of the state's oldest, this resort course is relatively flat, but small greens and masterful bunkers will test your skills. In addition, one of Florida's most charming resort hotels is across the street.
Mangrove Bay Golf Course (St. Petersburg): One of the nation's top 50 municipal courses, the Mangrove Bay course hugs the inlets of Old Tampa Bay and offers 18-hole, par-72 play. Facilities include a driving range; lessons and golf-club rentals are also available.
The Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club (Tarpon Springs): Golfweek has called Innisbrook's Copperhead Course, home to the PGA tour every March, number one in Florida. Each year, 1,000 students go through Innisbrook's Golf Institute. Golfers worldwide come here to play the 600 acres of courses.
Walt Disney World (Orlando): The resorts surrounding the theme parks have 99 regulation holes that let you walk in the footsteps (and share the frustrations) of the game's greatest players. Those with a shorter stroke can play the master miniature courses: Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland. Call tel. 407/939-4653 to inquire about golf courses and rates, or try the non-Disney Golfpac (tel. 800/486-0948 or 407/260-2288; www.golfpacorlando.com).
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort (Orlando): No Bermuda shorts are allowed on the four Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, including three 9-hole courses that are played in three 18-hole combinations, and an 18-hole course called the New Course.
Ladies Professional Golf Association/LPGA International (Daytona Beach): This "women-friendly" course has multiple tee settings, unrestricted tee times, a great pro shop, and state-of-the-art facilities. Designed by Rees Jones, the older course here was chosen as one of the "Top Ten You Can Play" by Golf magazine.
TPC at Sawgrass (Ponte Vedra Beach, near Jacksonville): With 99 holes, Pete Dye's Tournament Players Club (TPC) at Sawgrass makes top-10 lists everywhere. The 17th hole, on a tricky island, is one of the most photographed holes in the world.
Ocean Hammock Golf Club (Palm Coast, between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine): With 6 of its holes skirting the Atlantic Ocean, the Jack Nicklaus-designed course is the first authentic seaside links built in Florida since the 1920s. Another equally challenging, scenic course was designed by Tom Watson and a third is on the way by Fred Couples.
Amelia Island Plantation (Amelia Island): This exclusive resort has three of the state's best courses. Long Point Club, designed by Tom Fazio, is the most beautiful and challenging. Pete Dye and Bobby Weed's Amelia Links comprises two courses, Oak Marsh and Ocean Links. Each is open only to resort guests. Amelia River, the Tom Jackson-designed course amid a forest of live oaks, sabal palms, and pine trees, is the resort's crown jewel and is open to the public.
Marriott's Bay Point Resort Village (Panama City Beach): Thirty-six holes of championship golf at this Marriott include the Nicklaus-designed Meadows course and Nicklaus Design Course, one of the country's most difficult.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
